Older dogs - genuine question

[Theblackdogagain]

Not just yet but hopefully this year, after we have built an extension, I would like to adopt a dog. I'm not interested in a puppy and would like a dog plus 2 years.
I've started looking at rescues local and national but having cats and teens means the only dogs available are breeds that wouldn't work with my lifestyle.
Do proper mongrel dogs not exist anymore? Everything seems to be a cross and I would love a heinz dog as we used to call them?
Also a brief look at pets4homes but I know about puppy breeders and too many bully breed or similar to bully breed on there or poor dogs that are only 6 months but being rehomed already.
So my qu is, where can I look for an older dog when I have cats and teens? I've waited my life to finally have everything ready (dh and I both work from home, house with large secure garden and woods 500 yards away, )

You don’t really get mongrels because the message that you don’t let your pets breed has worked to a large extent so puppies are bred on purpose rather than just happening.

Adopting with a cat is harder, rescues quite rightly aren’t willing to risk rehoming a dog they’re not absolutely sure about with a cat, it’s honestly just a case of keeping looking and applying until you find one. The teenagers shouldn’t make a huge difference, it’s really young children that it tends to mean less available dogs.

Keep looking! I have a lovely 12 year from Battersea. If you sign up to a few rescues you’ll have one within a month or so.

older dogs (6+ yrs) are available on more local or specialised adoption facilities rather than Dogs Trust etc. My friend only gives a home to these sort of dogs but it has meant she has had to go through the loss of them :-(

I agree I don’t think your issues with eligibility lie with the teens, it is more the cats. Some breeds have a high prey drive which is innate, so trickier to eliminate/reduce the trait when not raising from a puppy.

It's great that you're looking for a rescue, even better that you want an older dog. Just bear in mind that older dogs aren't all the same, they will have learned/ not learned different things from their different life experiences and they won't all be a good fit with your family at this point. A good rescue will take a lot of trouble to match you to the right dog, but if they don't have a lot of dogs at any one time this could take a little while. That's why @Lamelie's advice is spot on.

If you particularly want a mixed breed, you may have better luck with a rescue that rehomes dogs from abroad. If you take this route be wary of rescues that don't home check or offer follow up as these are really important for everyone's benefit.

I hope you find your new friend soon.

You won't really find a true Heinz 57 anymore unless you're lucky enough to get one from a working farm (ie a terrier or lurcher) or as a private re-home somewhere.

As PP said, the message of "don't breed your dog" largely sunk in for most people so the only litters you find are genuine accidents (rare as you can spay bitches will pregnant) or purpose-bred litters for money.

Sorry, thread derail here, but is that true that it’s hard to find a mongrel in the UK now? I live abroad and adopted the most adorable mongrel 3 months ago (and spayed 10 days ago🙄). I find it incredibly sad to think her kind has died out in the UK (even though I’ve contributed to it dying out here, but part of the adoption contract). Also, if the idea of stopping mongrels breeding was to reduce the number of abandoned dogs, the policy doesn’t seem to have panned out as envisaged.

You could try applying for a retired guide dog (or other service dog).

Demand outstrips supply, but older DC are OK and some are fine with cats. They are strict about the dogs never being left at more than 4 hours a day (total, but can be in one stretch). Obviously not mongrels though - most are labs, german shepherds or spaniels (former drug/explosives sniffer dogs)

https://www.manytearsrescue.org/display_mtar_dog.php?id=39457

Yes there are plenty of mid aged mongrels around but remember everyone wants the well behaved cat and child friendly dog so they get rehomed very quickly.

I am in the exact same position. I think I've found a local rescue that has some suitable dogs. Like you I know I haven't got time or inclination for a puppy, but happy to continue training an younger dog, so hoping we can find one soon

Sorry, thread derail here, but is that true that it’s hard to find a mongrel in the UK now?

Most litters in the UK nowadays are purpose bred for money, so you end up with pure breeds or designer "crossbreeds" instead.

Look at some of the smaller rescues on Facebook. They often don't have kennels to house the dogs that get surrendered, so rely on foster placements. Very often you can foster with a view to adopt. That way you can 'try before you buy' and also help out a charity.

We foster for Yappy Ever After and also North East Terriers. Have a look on Facebook for ones your local area

I have a rescue mongrel, but did get her as a puppy. She came from a home that had 7 dogs, and clearly hadn't got a few of them neutered. That said, despite having at least three, probably four, breeds in her, one (the most bloody difficult one 😂) is dominant in her traits and temperament. I don't know just how mongrel a mongrel has to be before it stops behaving like a particular breed.

I do see other mongrels coming up for adoption. I think the main problem you have is the cat. Bear in mind, your cat might loathe sharing a home with a dog and you may rarely see it after getting a dog. I've seen this happen several times and always feel a bit sorry for the pet that's been pushed out by the new arrival.

I would never ever support a backyard breeder. I wish it wasn't as lucrative. The sheer number of them on pets at home (rather than champ dogs etc) says that the majority of puppies purchased are bought from backyard breeders. I know these might have been the same people who in the past ended up with mongrels, but I do worry about the inbreeding and worsening genetics of breeds that will be going on now that most people want a pedigree.

My advice would be, follow loads of rescues on Facebook. There are so many dogs needing homes. They are not all problem dogs. I have to constantly stop myself applying (I'm waiting for my girl to be neutered first).

Thank you all
We have an extension first so I think after that I will reach out to local charities and just be patient.
Thanks for explaining why no mongrels, makes perfect sense.

I am looking again at the moment, as my last (absolutely terrific) rescue died suddenly in October. I got her from Battersea, aged about four and a half, and had her for almost 7 years. My plan was to get an older one this time but, be aware, some dogs have a lower life expectancy than others In my situation, I have just lost one, so I don't want one that is quite likely to die in a year or two. Also, I want one that likes a long walk sometimes. I contemplated a 6-year-old English bulldog but then found out their life expectancy is 8. Battersea have a huge amount of puppies (mongrels -accidentally conceived!) but there are older dogs as well and you just have to check several times a day (sometimes it changes every 2 hours)to see what is listed. It is essential that you register first with whatever local rescues you like, as you need to be able to instantly reserve a dog when a likely one pops up before everyone else who is looking. RSPCA often have more dogs at their branch than they feature online.
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